The two of them sat down on the sofa.

Zhang Wan brought over two glasses of water, then disappeared back into the kitchen.

After a moment of silence, Fu Hu ventured, "Director Li, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

"Of course, but some matters are classified, so I'm afraid I can't comment on everything."

"I understand. I'd like to ask, when was this National Key Risk Intervention Bureau established? And what does it do?"

"The National Key Risk Intervention Bureau was founded thirty years ago. To put it simply, we're responsible for predicting, intervening in, managing, and concealing major national events with uncertain outcomes. We specialize in 'off-the-books risks,' acting as the last line of defense for our national strategic security."

Fu Hu's eyes narrowed. "You said before that my rank was too low, so it was normal not to know about the Bureau. So why are you telling me all this now?"

Su Jin smiled, picking up his water glass and glancing at Fu Hu. "It's simple. Before long, the entire country will know about this department."

"Why..."

Just as Fu Hu was about to ask more, Su Jin pulled a disc from his pocket and handed it to him.

"Could you play this disc for me? Don't worry, it's just a regular movie. You can watch it too."

Fu Hu stared at the disc, and after a moment's thought, he turned to put it on.

Su Jin crossed his legs, pulled out a notebook, and set it on the armrest. He held a pen in his other hand, poised to write.

When Fu Hu turned back and saw Su Jin's composed demeanor, he felt another wave of confusion.

"This doesn't concern you." Su Jin gestured with the pen in his hand. "Old Fu, go ahead and keep asking. I can tell you anything that's not classified. I know my visit was a bit forward, but we're on the same side, and I don't want any misunderstandings."

Fu Hu nodded and continued, "You say you're a director at the Bureau, but you look like you're only in your twenties. Such an important department... how could someone so young hold such a position?"

"Actually, I'm over thirty. I just look young. But you're right, even being in my thirties is highly unusual for this department and rank."

"But the reason isn't complicated: people like me are hard to find. The missions our department handles are incredibly important, requiring fluency in foreign cultures, proficiency in multiple languages, mathematics, physics, computer science... even psychology, and so on. You could count the number of people in the entire country who meet these requirements on one hand."

"I just returned to the country and rented a place. This Rencai Community area is mostly where old-timers used to live, so I chose it. I never expected to become your neighbor."

"Hmm..." Fu Hu was at a loss for words.

A peculiar stranger, a department he'd never heard of.

Although he had shown some proof, he couldn't bring himself to believe the other man.

Bizarre. Everything was utterly bizarre.

Even if the man's explanations were reasonable, he still couldn't accept the idea of some young punk managing to become a director in such a critical department.

What else should I ask...

Just as Fu Hu was lost in thought, Su Jin spoke up, "Old Fu, I know you don't believe me, but you will once you see this."

With that, he unlocked the Xiaomi 6 in his hand and tossed it to Fu Hu.

Fu Hu's reflexes were quick; he caught it and immediately began examining it.

The first time he saw this thing, he knew it was something special!

It had to be some kind of cutting-edge technology. Now that he could hold it and fiddle with it, he wasn't about to waste the chance.

"What is this thing called? What are these characters inside?"

"It's just a cell phone. Our department modified the operating system, replacing everything with a cipher that only our own people can read," Su Jin said lightly.

"The technology in this device integrates the functions of almost every electronic product on the market. It's a product secretly developed by a foreign agency, and it has epoch-making strategic significance. My mission abroad was to acquire the relevant manufacturing data."

Fu Hu fiddled with the phone with immense curiosity until he accidentally locked the screen. He looked up, narrowing his eyes at Su Jin. "Such important information... aren't you telling me a little too much!"

Su Jin nodded. "Very good. As a former candidate for the Bureau, your vigilance is impressive. Actually, there's no need to be secretive about this. I sent all the manufacturing data back to the country a year ago, and we started trial production internally six months ago."

"After our Bureau goes public, this device will be officially released on the domestic market as a consumer product. Everyone will be able to afford it, and it's bound to cause a stir internationally... By my calculations, that should be in less than a month."

"For real? Everyone can afford this kind of high-tech?" Fu Hu's pupils dilated, his heart pounding. "How much will it cost?"

"Eight or ten thousand, probably."

"And that's a price everyone can afford?"

"Interest-free installments."

"....."

Before Fu Hu could process this, Su Jin preempted him, "You must still have a lot of doubts. You're not convinced of my identity, and you don't understand why someone like me would show up here."

"To be blunt, I came back to the country secretly, without my superiors' knowledge. My mission was completed long ago, and my declassification period ends next month. There's been some trouble at the Bureau. The Deputy Director's position opened up, and it should have been mine. But since I haven't been at Longshan for years, someone in the Bureau is trying to take advantage of the situation. That's why I've been communicating privately with my subordinates and rented this place temporarily."

"Running into you was an accident. I was just hoping to borrow a TV... It's fine telling you all this, as long as you can keep it a secret for me."

The wariness in Fu Hu's eyes didn't fade. "Is it really appropriate to tell me all this?"

Su Jin chuckled, leaning back lazily on the sofa, his eyes fixed on the television. "There's nothing inappropriate about it. You're not in the Bureau, so you can't influence anything. Besides, it's not like I didn't keep a few cards up my sleeve while I was abroad. Once I decrypt the rest of the data and hand it over, the Deputy Director's seat will still be mine."

After speaking, Su Jin held up his notebook.

The writing on it was identical to the characters on the phone—completely indecipherable.

Fu Hu was speechless for a moment, lost in thought.

This whole affair was too big, and it had come out of nowhere.

Reason told him not to trust a word this kid said; he was nothing like a typical government official... yet he couldn't find any holes in his story to argue against.

We are "pawread.com", find us on google.

The main problem was that his background was a complete blank, and the things he presented were entirely beyond his comprehension.

"Old Fu..." Su Jin said, his eyes glued to the TV. "Fate brought us together, and I've told you so much. Right now, almost all of my subordinates are being watched. If you'd be willing to run an errand for me, I'd be very grateful."

"Money is no object. My business here will be wrapped up in ten days or half a month. If you're looking for a job, there's always a spot in our Bureau's office... starting salary is over ten thousand, you know."

A starting salary of ten thousand?!

Fu Hu flinched slightly and said in a low voice, "Director Li, I'm afraid... this was your real reason for moving in next to me and telling me all this, wasn't it?"

Su Jin chuckled. "You're half right. Moving in across the hall was a genuine accident. So, are you willing to help me out?"

"I'd also like to ask, which country were you on a mission in?"

"My movements are top secret and will never be declassified... It's alright, Old Fu. If you don't want to help, then don't. I won't interfere with your life."

"Thank you, Director... Uh, have you eaten?"

The tip of Su Jin's pen paused. He glanced sideways at Fu Hu. "I haven't."

"Then why not stay for dinner tonight?" Fu Hu asked.

"Would that be convenient?"

"It is! Nothing inconvenient about it! I'll go check on how the food is coming along." After speaking, Fu Hu shot a subtle glance at Su Jin and got up to walk to the kitchen.

Seeing Fu Hu come in, he partially closed the kitchen door.

Zhang Wan stopped stirring with her spatula and immediately leaned in to ask, "Who's that? Who is that young man? What's he here for?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down. There's something wrong with that kid."